Softball splits doubleheader

BY ANDRES FOCIL

STILLWATER, Okla.- The University of Arkansas softball team (5-1) split a doubleheader Sunday with the Oklahoma State Cowgirls in Stillwater, Okla. The Razorbacks won game one, 8-5 and lost game two, 6-1.

Senior Chelsea Cohen started game one in the circle for the Razorbacks and was tested early. The Cowgirls scored three runs in the bottom of the second on three hits and two errors. However, the Arkansas offense would come alive at the bat of Jayme Gee as she hit a homerun over the centerfield wall in the top of the third to make the score 3-1. This was the first run given up by Oklahoma State this fall. Two singles by Amanda Summerford and Devon Wallace put the Razorbacks in scoring position but they would leave the inning with only one run.

Oklahoma State added another run in the bottom of the third when Tiffany Mikkelson reached on an error and then scored on a single later in the inning. This was the fourth unearned run given up by Chelsea Cohen and the Razorback defense. The team committed four errors in the first three innings after not having a defensive lapse in their first four games of the fall.

The offense would again answer for the defensive blunders as Jennifer Rambo led off the top of the fourth with a walk and eventually scored on a Chloe Oprzedek single to center field. Amanda Geile also scored on the play making the score 4-3. Oprzedek scored on the next pitch when Amanda Summerford belted a homerun into the right field parking lot to give the Hogs a 5-4 lead after their half of the fourth.

The Arkansas bats would stay hot in the top of the fifth with Stephanie Canfield leading off the inning with a bunt single. An Oklahoma State error and a single for Jennifer Rambo would leave the bases loaded with one out for pinch hitter Sierra Bronkey. She would get the run home on a dribbler to shortstop. Arkansas led after the top of the fifth by a score of 6-4.

Cohen started the fifth inning with a line drive hitting her shin, but after a quick look from trainer Brian Buening she was able to get through the inning allowing only an unearned run.

The offensive attack again answered for an unearned run as Oprzedek started the inning with a double and then scored on a bomb over the right field wall by Wallace. This was Wallace’s second home run of the fall and her seventh and eighth RBI of the season. She leads the team in both categories.

Cohen would cruise through the sixth and seventh and the Razorbacks picked up their fifth win of the fall season. Cohen did not allow an earned run in the game, pitching seven innings and striking out six without yielding a walk. Head coach Mike Larabee was pleased with the win.

“I am very happy with the way our team hung in there,” Larabee said. “We didn’t play close to our best but we swung the bats very well. Chelsea Cohen had an unbelievable outing and had her changeup working.”

Game two’s scoring started with another Arkansas error. Oklahoma State scored on a throwing error by freshman pitcher Kelly Young. This was the sixth unearned run allowed by the Razorbacks on the day.

Oklahoma State would add another run in the bottom of the second and three more in the third off of a Simone Freeman homerun. This would end the day for freshman Kelly Young. Redshirt freshman Victoria Brown came on in the middle of the third and retired the final two batters in her first appearance of the fall season. Brown would throw another three innings only allowing one run.

Clarisa Navarro got the Razorback bats moving when she singled to left field to start the fourth inning. She scored on an Oprzedek ground out later in the frame. This was Operzedek’s third RBI on the day.

Freeman also hurt the Razorbacks with an outstanding pitching performance. She went seven innings, striking out five and allowed one earned run.

Next up, the Razorbacks return home and host a doubleheader versus Northeast Oklahoma A&M on Tuesday. Game one will begin at 3:00 PM in Bogle Park. Admission is free to all fans. For more information about Razorback softball — ArkansasRazorbacks.com || On Twitter @RazorbackSB || Facebook.com/RazorbackSB —